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Earnings Management, Earnings Surprises, and Distressed Firms

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  • John S. Howe
  • Reza Houston

Abstract

We examine the propensity of distressed firms to manage earnings and the impact of their earnings management on investor response to earnings. We find that distressed firms manage earnings upward and downward more than other firms. Distressed firms manage earnings upward significantly more than non-distressed firms after negative earnings surprises. Investor response to earnings surprises is smaller in magnitude for distressed firms. Investor response to positive earnings surprises of distressed firms is larger in magnitude than the response to negative earnings surprises. The change in bankruptcy probability after a negative earnings surprise is greater for distressed firms. Distressed firms have less post-announcement earnings drift. The results suggest that earnings management by distressed firms lowers earnings quality and weakens investor response. Our evidence has implications for investors, analysts, and compensation and audit committees.

Suggested Citation

  • John S. Howe & Reza Houston, 2016. "Earnings Management, Earnings Surprises, and Distressed Firms," Accounting and Finance Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 5(1), pages 1-64, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:jfr:afr111:v:5:y:2016:i:1:p:64
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Norman Saleh & Kamran Ahmed, 2005. "Earnings management of distressed firms during debt renegotiation," Accounting and Business Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(1), pages 69-86.
    4. Rebecca L. Rosner, 2003. "Earnings Manipulation in Failing Firms," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 20(2), pages 361-408, June.
    5. S. Price & Dean Gatzlaff & C. Sirmans, 2012. "Information Uncertainty and the Post-Earnings-Announcement Drift Anomaly: Insights from REITs," The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, Springer, vol. 44(1), pages 250-274, January.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Davis, Frederick & Khadivar, Hamed, 2024. "Accrual and real earnings management by rumored takeover targets," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).

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    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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